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Another massive solar project coming to the Sault

Black Road confirmed as additional site

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (September 28) – A deal for a second major solar project in Sault Ste. Marie has been reached.

The addition will give the City the title of largest solar energy producer in Canada.

Starwood Energy Group, which is currently establishing two 10 megawatt solar farms in the Base Line area, has announced that another solar project, totalling 30 megawatts, will be built on Black Road.

"We have received tremendous support from the stakeholders at the local and provincial levels for this important energy infrastructure project, and we are very grateful for this support,” said Himanshu Saxena, vice president of Starwood Energy.

Once complete, the second phase of Starwood’s local solar project will provide electricity for up to 12,000 homes, generating power during the middle of the day, a time of highest demand on the power grid.

The facilities will also reduce yearly carbon emissions by an amount equal to displacing 5,700 cars and light trucks each driving 12,000 miles per year or to planting more than 24 million trees in Ontario's forests.

In total, Starwood’s solar initiative in Sault Ste. Marie will generate 50 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 21,000 homes.

This, along with other projects, including the Prince Wind Farm and Elementa’s waste-to-energy project, is justifying the City’s claim of being the alternative energy capital of North America.

“We’re making people believe that we are who we say we are,” said Councillor Steve Butland, co-chair of the City’s green committee.

Meanwhile, the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. congratulates Starwood on its announcement and looks forward to continuing to work with them, and other alternative energy producers, in the years to come.

"For a community of 75,000, we are fast becoming one of the largest when it comes to green technology,” said EDC CEO Bruce Strapp. “The second phase of Starwood’s solar initiative further supports our branded name of being the alternative energy capital of North America. The Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. is appreciative of the hard work by those in both the public and private sector who supported Starwood and its partners.”

SAULT STE. MARIE – The provincial government’s landmark green energy programs are making it possible for companies such as Starwood Energy, which recently finalized financial close on Phase 2 of an approximately $150 million solar energy farm, to build large-scale solar energy projects that are giving Sault Ste. Marie the reputation as the green energy capital of North America, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“Our government’s innovative green energy programs are leading the way in North America and delivering solar energy projects that are significantly improving our environment, creating local jobs and diversifying Sault Ste. Marie’s economy,” said Orazietti. “The completion of financing for Phase 2 of the Starwood Solar Energy farm, that will power up to 12,000 homes during peak demand, and make it one of the largest solar generation developments in North America, represents another significant milestone in creating renewable power in Ontario.”

Once built, this 30-megawatt project on Black Road will provide power for thousands of Ontarians.

The solar facilities will also reduce yearly carbon emissions by an amount equal to displacing 5,700 cars and light trucks each driving 12,000 miles per year or to planting more than 24 million trees in Ontario's forests.

Local jobs will be created for engineering, construction and ongoing management, operations and maintenance of the new solar farm, which is scheduled to be operational in 2011.

“We are pleased to deliver our proven solar power plant technology for the SSM2 project to Starwood,” said Q-Cells North America COO, Boris Schubert. “Ontario’s solar industry is on the rise and we look forward to supporting Ontario’s visionary solar program.”

“We are grateful to Pod for their diligent efforts and very appreciative of the strong community and provincial support in Sault St Marie and Ontario for this important energy infrastructure project,” said Bradford Nordholm, CEO of Starwood Energy.

“The closing of Starwood SSM2 further demonstrates Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentale’s continued commitment to both the solar sector as well as Ontario's renewable energy initiatives,” said Nicolai Dillow, senior director of Nord/LB.

The McGuinty government’s Green Energy Act places a priority on expanding Ontario’s use of clean and renewable sources of energy to help combat climate change and phase out coal.

- Over $7 million to green Sault Ste. Marie schools including energy retrofits.
- $6 million in provincial gas tax funding has reduced air emissions through increased public transportation ridership.
- $3 million to Sault Ste. Marie and Region Conservation Authority for water protection.
- $2.5 million for Heliene Canada to build a $6 million solar module manufacturing plant that will create 36 jobs.
- $2 million for Ellsin Environmental tire recycling project in Sault Ste. Marie.
- $1.4 million to construct methane collection system at landfill to reduce greenhouse gases.
- $135,000 to support SITTM Technologies biofuel project.
- Certificate of approval for Elementa’s innovative waste-to-energy project.
- Introduction of water opportunities and conservation legislation that will create high-skills jobs and make Ontario an international leader in the water and wastewater technology sector.
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